As A.J. Smith observed this past weekend's minicamp, the Chargers' general manager was perhaps as confident as he has ever been that the team he has engineered is situated for immediate success.

Every player on the roster was in attendance. There are no great health concerns. He has the head coach he wants, feels strongly the new assistant coaches are going to make a difference and has in place long term what many consider the NFL's finest assemblage of talent.

Yet for all the accolades Smith and Executive Vice President Ed McGuire have received for having locked up 26 players (including 20 of 24 starters) through at least the next three seasons, a perfect storm of contract negotiations is gathering on the horizon.

It is far enough away that there is no alarm sounded yet, but the squall is definitely on Smith's radar.